Greenwich RMG PW2087, William Lionel Wyllie, circa 1890

Greenwich titled by r. Quarm and j. Wyllie (1981) pl. 45 as 'shipping in greenwich reach', this is a view from the north-east of the heavily industrialized victorian thames, with the distant royal naval college in the middle of the east greenwich to deptford waterfront. Lightermen handling lighters under sweeps are on the edge of the main tideway to the left, a steamer heading up to london is on the right with a three-masted barque also inbound under tow beyond in the distance, and many other small craft appear, both steam and sail. The warehouses and factory chimneys on the eastern point of the isle of dogs close the view on the far right. The drawing, signed by the artist, lower left, featured in the museum's special exhibition gallery, oct 1974. Greenwich. Date: circa 1890. Dimensions: Sheet: 228 x 352 mm; Mount: 480 mm x 631 mm. Collection: Fine art.